by Dominic Masut , 
Discovered Media & Publications
DominicMasut@DiscoveredPublications.com
(newswire release AFP)

Published: February 14, 2010

Los Angeles, CA - Being a Food and Travel writer, I can be a bit of a 'Road Warrior' (not the Mel Gibson type mind you), though I have been known to occasionally say things that upset people, usually related to food.  I find Travel Shows a bit like Disneyland, where I can find new travel gadgets and even the occasional unheard of locale, getaway or restaurant.

The fact that this year's show was held on Valentine's Day (the biggest Wedding day of the year) which also happens to have fallen on Chinese New Year celebrations, I considered the LA Times Travel & Adventure Show the safest place for me to be.

This year's show provided the usual list of suspects from the travel industry, time-shares, and a few truly unexpected if not unusual exhibitions and products. 

That is in addition to the Rock Climbing, Cable Ride and FREE Thai Massages of course.

The only thing I could have wanted for more of would have been more Travel Apparel.  You can never have too many travel clothes. Then again, not everybody is a slave to Safari Fashion like me.
 
Many women have shoe obsessions, I like Safari gear... Go figure!

Safari gear is very functional, comfortable to travel in, easy to wash, classic in style, though many argue that fact with me, and more places to put stuff when you travel.  You know, the one with all the pockets, to put stuff in and cut down on carry-on luggage but often makes airport security checkpoints interesting if not a very intimate experience sometimes bordering on debauchery. 

I can never understand why over the years, several women I've dated tried to secretly dispose of Safari Vests including a Female Safari Guide in Malawi that literally tried to burn it in our evening campfire and a Runway Model in London that tried to spirit it away via her dumbwaiter so her maid could 'toss it in the dustbin' as she put it. 

I mean, after NASA, Safari gear is where all the real High Tech clothing science is created.
Not buying it yet?

They call it Durable, Sustainable 'ADVENTURE WEAR'... SAFARI!!!

Well if technology like Insect ShieldÒ, TeflonÔ and Dri-ReleaseÒ  technology in what you wear sounds cool, useful or in my personal experience when fending off SE Asian mosquitoes that look more like B2 Bombers than bugs big enough to carry off some of your camp gear, try some gear from EXOFFICIO @ www.ExOfficio.com or call direct 800-644-7303.

MEDICAL TOURISM:
Thailand's high quality VERY inexpensive American and European trained doctors are filling the void for decent and affordable healthcare in America is stoking the Thai Medical Tourism industry which is growing exponentially.

Medical Tourism sounds like a contradiction in terms or an oxymoron to say the least.  But for the cost of a couple of veneers in the US, you can cover most of your mouth in high tech veneer porcelain for pennies on the dollar in the 'Land of Smiles'  (Thailand's nickname)

However, the item that hit home as 'MUST HAVE' Travel wear was... wait for it...

Disposable underwear!  I KNOW!
That's right my friends... 
Wear and tear them... dump them (in the appropriate recycling location of course). 
I know. I know.   You're thinking I'm obsessing over High Tech apparel again... well...  underwear... WRONG!.

OnederWear (What else would you call it!) is possibly a new trend, or according to an old college roommate, an old trend improved on. 

THROW AWAY UNDERWEAR!!!
Yeah go ahead and laugh... I confess I did too... AT FIRST... then...

My first pass by the booth was hmm.. interesting (This is where I laughed) 

Second pass, I began reminiscing of all the times I tried to travel light (because thats what Road Warriors do) only to realize after my first week I'm always looking for a laundry or cleaning service at my 'in the wilderness accommodation'... besides severely cutting into my 'down time' to relax before my next leg of the journey.

For you newbie 'Road Warriors', laundry on the road, well... it just takes so much time and energy from things you might otherwise enjoy, like getting a two hour nap before your next interview, or eating.  You know,... the little things that become big things when you don't get them on a regular basis or as often as you need them.

I mean, you NEVER SEE Mad Max, Anthony Bourdain or even BEAR GRYLLS (Man vs. Wild TV series) WASHING HIS KNICKERS IN THE WILD... right? 

Anyway, by third pass... I was sold! 

BEST PART, THEY'RE 100% GUILT FREE!
RECYCLABLE, CLEAN, GREEN, COMFORTABLE COTTON UNDERWEAR YOU NEVER HAVE TO WASH... and VERY AFFORDABLE.  
All is good with with the universe. 

Ladies, they have a wide range of products in girl's, women's and children sizes.  I wonder if they will ever launch a 'Super Hero' series line?

So go ahead, laugh smile and then TRY THEM from, who else but www.onederwear.com .  I think they should have Elmer Fudd doing their commercials.

TRAVEL SHOW SPEAKERS:
Speakers at this year's show included PBS Favorites like Rick Steves and Huell Howser, and Global Travel Guru Arthur Frommer. 
Zac Sunderland who at the ripe age of 17 sailed around the world.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL & ADVENTURE:

California was well represented as was Hawaii, Nevada and Mexico.

California Academy of Sciences 
Plan a few days in San Francisco, California area and see something cool.

Take a trip to the California Academy of Sciences @ www.CALACADEMY.org

Though it's name sounds a little like Military School for MIT geeks it is actually MUCH COOLER and GEEKY!  BTW... GEEKY IS THE NEW COOL! 

Great for kids, great for Adults looking for something pleasantly different that will expand the mind and eco-soul.

Is it an Aquarium, Planetarium to explore the Universe? Forest or Jungle Rainforest? Science Museum?  Actually its all that and more. Plus they have a new building so cool they're keeping it underground...literally.  Just GO SEE IT!

Special Promotion
Feb. 1 - Mar. 15 HEROES TREATMENT:
Fire fighters, military, police personnel, and teachers get free admission.